Manchester City’s Halloween Party: A Light-Hearted Reflection Amidst Challenges

Two days prior to their match against Bournemouth, Manchester City hosted a Halloween party for players and their families, featuring a cinema-style entrance that set a festive tone. The venue was adorned with ‘Wanted’ and ‘Missing’ posters displaying images of Pep Guardiola’s squad. Guests were welcomed by a vintage theater ambiance, complete with red velvet curtains and a marquee sign that humorously proclaimed, “Now screening: I Know What You Did Last Season,” alluding to a horror film.

The 2024-25 season has been challenging for City, marked by injuries and a noticeable decline in form, contrasting sharply with their previous four consecutive Premier League titles. However, the atmosphere at the party allowed players and staff to find humor in their circumstances, even as they strive to recover from their difficulties.

Guardiola has refrained from discussing potential achievements for the current season, and the team’s performance has been mixed. While they secured victories against Manchester United and Napoli and drew with Arsenal, they suffered defeats at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur, Brighton & Hove Albion, and Aston Villa. Nonetheless, City holds second place in the league ahead of Liverpool’s visit to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, a match that will provide insight into whether they are genuine title contenders or still navigating a rebuilding phase.

In an effort to regain momentum, Guardiola has adopted a different approach. Unusually, he canceled training the day before the Champions League match against Borussia Dortmund, granting players a day off. With Dortmund having an extra day of rest due to their schedule, Guardiola aimed to mitigate injury risks that plagued last season. His decision, needing special approval from UEFA, ultimately proved effective as City triumphed over Dortmund with a score of 4-1, climbing to fourth in the Champions League standings.

Significant changes off the pitch have also impacted the squad. The team has lost over 1,500 games worth of experience in the past year, due to the departures of key players such as Éderson, Kyle Walker, Ilkay Gündogan, and Kevin De Bruyne. Defender Josko Gvardiol acknowledged this shift, noting its palpable effects on the team.

In response to these losses, Guardiola has taken a more hands-on approach to leadership, selecting his captains rather than allowing players to vote as he has done in the past. He recognized that a lack of unity contributed to last season’s struggles and has since appointed leaders including Bernardo Silva, Rúben Dias, Rodri, and Erling Haaland.

Haaland’s selection as a leader came as a surprise, but Guardiola later reflected that it might have been his best decision. The Norwegian striker has not only excelled on the pitch, scoring 18 goals, but has also embraced his leadership role off the field, volunteering for pre-match media duties ahead of the Dortmund game. He expressed the collective aspiration to rectify the shortcomings of last season, emphasizing the need for stability and improved performance.

Last season, City faced numerous challenges, including significant losses in crucial matches. However, amid these transitions, Guardiola’s presence remains a constant source of motivation, having recently extended his contract until the summer of 2027. With Gvardiol asserting that Guardiola’s enthusiasm and drive remain unchanged, the team looks forward to their upcoming match against Liverpool with renewed confidence.

Reflecting on their current form, Guardiola expressed excitement for the clash with Liverpool, contrasting sharply with the apprehension he felt prior to their last encounter. With only one loss in their past 13 matches, the team is eager to demonstrate that the troubles of last season are firmly in the past.